As a European importer, you have undoubtedly noticed: the relative calm in the freight market at the beginning of this year has given way to renewed pressure. Anyone looking to ship goods from logistics hubs such as Shanghai, Ningbo, or Shenzhen to the Port of Antwerp in July 2026 is faced with rising rates and tight capacity.
In this article, we analyze the main causes behind the current rate increases and share strategic tools to keep your supply chain affordable.
The hard figures: Container rate development (July 2026)
While the market was still stabilizing at the beginning of this year, we are seeing a clear upward correction on the Asia-Europe route this month. The table below shows the average indicative rates for July 2026 compared to the first quarter:
| Container type | Q1 2026 Rate (Average) | July 2026 Rate (Spot Market + PSS) |
| 20ft General Purpose (20GP) | $1,800 – $2,200 | $2,900 – $3,400 |
| 40ft High Cube (40HQ) | $2,500 – $3,100 | $4,200 – $4,800 |
| All-in Cargo (incl. FAK & acute surcharges) | $3,200 | $5,500 – $6,000+ |
Please note: These are market averages (Drewry WCI / Shanghai-Rotterdam-Antwerp). Specific shipping lines are now charging all-in prices that are creeping toward $6,000+ due to acute surcharges.
Three forces behind the rate increase
The current market dynamics are no coincidence, but the result of a ‘perfect storm’ in international B2B logistics:
1. The early start of the peak season
Traditionally, the peak season for retail imports only begins at the end of August. This year, we see that European companies have brought their purchase orders forward en masse. To stay ahead of logistics bottlenecks in the fall and guarantee on-time delivery for the Q4 season, demand for container space already escalated in May and June. Shipping lines are responding to this with hefty Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) of $1,000 to $2,000 per container starting from July 1 and 15.
2. Structural capacity pressure due to rerouting restrictions
The ongoing necessity to avoid the Suez route and sail around the Cape of Good Hope continues to take its toll. This longer route adds a standard 10 to 14 days of pure sailing time to an Asia-Europe round trip. This effectively absorbs about 15% to 20% of global shipping capacity. The ships are there, but they are in transit longer, which leads to a shortage of empty containers in China more quickly.
3. The ‘Green Rush’ for specialized capacity
The massive export growth of Chinese sustainable technologies — such as solar panels, lithium batteries, and electric vehicles — to Europe is claiming a large portion of available capacity. Importers of regular commercial goods must therefore compete with capital-intensive sectors for the coveted slots on mega-ships.
Strategic advice: How to protect your import margins?
As your sourcing partner between China and Europe, Eurasia Trade advises applying the following strategies in the coming months:
- Optimize your volume (FCL vs. LCL): Rates for a 40HQ container per cubic meter (CBM) are currently significantly more favorable than those for a 20GP container or separate LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments. Consolidate your orders into full 40ft containers where possible.
- Book at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance: Do not rely on last-minute spot market bookings this summer. Communicate your factory production in a timely manner so that space on the vessel is guaranteed before the planned Ready Date.
- Evaluate packaging density: Now that the freight price per CBM is rising, it pays to work with your Chinese manufacturer to look at more efficient product packaging. Less empty air in the box directly translates to a lower logistics cost per product unit.
